22 January 2014

Why is The Christian God Different?

Perhaps the most unique characteristic of the Christian God is that He exists. The other ones don't. Of course, that is a matter of profound debate, as we all know.

I would say the chief and most critical differences have to do, ultimately, with the Christian God's character of holiness. You're going to get an argument on this from other people who will say that their gods are holy, too. What is unique about Christianity among all the world religions is its central doctrine of a once-for-all atonement that is offered to people to grant them salvation. Old Testament Judaism had a provision for the atonement of sin, but most religions have no provision for an atonement, basically because they do not consider it to be a prerequisite for redemption.

My question is, Why would a world religion not consider an atonement necessary for redemption unless, in their view, God is less than holy? If God is perfectly just and people are not perfectly just, yet those people are trying to be in a vital relationship with God, you have a basic, overwhelming problem. How would a God who is holy and just accept in his presence unjust creatures? That's what Judaism and Christianity understand as the vital problem. Human beings who are unjust must be justified somehow to enter the presence of a holy God. That's why the whole focus of Judeo-Christianity is at the point of atonement, which brings about reconciliation.

But if you don't believe that God is all that holy, there's no need for any concept of reconciliation. We can live however we want because this kind of god is a cosmic bellhop who will overlook all of our sins and do whatever we want him to do for us. I would say the holiness of God is the vital difference
~ R.C. Sproul, Now - That's a Good Question!

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a British preacher and evangelist of the 19th century, once said, "Sooner could a fish live in a tree, than a sinner in the presence of a holy God."  Most world religions propose a standard of living - a code of conduct if you will - whereby one can be acceptable to their god.

But your Christian Bible says, "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) And Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6).

So ... the difference? Jesus said that we cannot make ourselves acceptable to God, except by believing in Him - and that He would give us the ability to live a Christian life here on earth and spend eternity with Him and His Father in Heaven.

Do we fail? Certainly, and all the time. But does our God forgive us? If we've accepted Jesus as our savior, then the answer is a resounding, "Yes!" 

14 comments:

Stephen said...

Excellent. I shall print this fine piece and hand it to my wife. She'll love it. Thanks, my good friend.

Rev. Paul said...

You're welcome, Stephen.

Max said...

but without acceptance can't you just be a good person and automatically be forgiven for the things you have done (or didn't do). Why must there be an acceptance at all?

Food for thought I suppose.

Six said...

I think this comes to the very heart of the matter; our human arrogance keeps so many from accepting this very basic Christian truth. It is the thing that drives the atheist, the humanist. I've been reading a bit on atheism lately, especially Peter Boghossian's new attempt to draw Christians away from Jesus by teaching atheistic proselytizing, and what strikes me is that their arrogance so blinds them that not only can they not accept Christianity they feel compelled to eradicate it.

Rev. Paul said...

I'm sorry, Max, but the Bible says definitely not. Jesus' sacrifice, as the only perfect man to have ever lived, is the only means of entrance into God's acceptance. God the Father will not forgive us for failing to accept Jesus' death & resurrection as the price of forgiveness. Living a good life isn't good enough: Isaiah 64: 6 says that, in God's sight, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags".

Rev. Paul said...

Agreed, Six. Pride and arrogance are external signs of the sin nature with which we are all born, and only Jesus can change that.

Rev. Paul said...

I don't mean for that to sound harsh: it's actually the good news. Jesus accepts us just as we are, sins and all, and forgives us instantly as we accept what He did for us. There's nothing else we need to do, and God then imputes Jesus' righteousness to us. It's awesome!

PioneerPreppy said...

So RP I have a question. If someone was a Christian and believed and read the words but had never actually mingled in or with an established church and had never been formally baptized can they ever be forgiven and accepted? I honestly do not know or even know enough to have an opinion but I remember from when I was a kid that being baptized or not was somehow a barrier. Or was that simply a particular trait of the specific denomination I was dealing with?

I guess it is on topic if it has some bearing on acceptance or not.

Rev. Paul said...

Preppy, when Jesus gave His disciples what is now known as "the great commission", He said "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 28:19). In Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins". Although there is some disagreement over why it's required, apparently it is required as an outward sign of the spiritual change that is taking place.

However, in the case of a believer who was never baptized, I think God would expect - once that believer learns of the requirement - that he should seek baptism from a Bible-believing minister. Church membership, although recommended, isn't necessarily a requirement - depending on the denomination. Ask around. :)

Murphy's Law said...

A fantastic post indeed. I'll be passing it on to some other folks.

Rev. Paul said...

I'm glad you find it useful, sir. :)

Jacked Up Glock Mom said...

Thank you for posting this.... I could never understand how a person could not believe in God and not accept him. He is every where. All a person has to do is just open their eyes and look around. The thing that plagues me and probably millions of Christians around the world, are I know we are forgiven of our sins, but I believe we are also to remember them no more. But yet I do.

Rev. Paul said...

I agreed, JUGM - and for the record, the Word says that God forgets them. I try really hard not to remind Him! :^)

Jacked Up Glock Mom said...

Thank you... I try as well, but it is hard.